Judging from its 35-14 setback to begin the season, one may assume that Seneca Valley's football team was physically beat up last week at McDowell.

According to SV coach Ron Butschle, that was not the case.

“It was mental and disciplinary errors,” he said. “We have good players, but our inexperience showed. We have to grow up quickly.”

A cleaner performance is needed if the Raiders are to hang with Central Catholic, which visits NexTier Stadium Friday for the Quad County Conference-opener for both teams. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Defensively, the Raiders allowed 398 offensive yards to the Trojans. A personal foul penalty negated a stop on third down on the opening drive and the Trojans later scored and never trailed in the game.

McDowell's three scoring drives in the first half covered 70, 66 and 85 yards.

“Our young guys got a taste of what Friday night speed is all about,” said Butschle. “Hopefully, they can catch up this week.”

Catching up to Vikings' running back Eddy Tillman is easier said than done. As a sophomore last year, he led the Vikings with 826 rushing yards and a 6.6-yard-per-carry average.

Tillman rushed for 109 yards in last week's 42-7 win over William Penn in a game played at Woodland Hills' Wolvarena.

“He's a tough runner,” said Central coach Terry Totten, “but he's all about speed.”

In a 15-14 WPIAL quarterfinal victory over the Vikings last November, the Raiders held Tillman to 22 yards on seven carries.

Hoping to add balance to Central's offense is quarterback Dom Pieto. He threw for 618 yards and eight touchdowns last year, but Totten believes he is primed for a better season.

“He's capable,” Totten said. “He can make the touch passes and we need to cut him loose.”

But Butschle knows Central's offense begins with the run and his defense must improve from last week when the Raiders allowed 241 yards on the ground.

“Central doesn't care if you know what they're going to run, they'll line up and run it anyway,” he said. “Running the ball, that's their personality.”

Offensively, the Raiders are working toward getting better up front. Quarterback Gabe Lawson was sacked by McDowell four times and though both of SV's scores came on the ground, the rushing attack offered a paltry 2.5-yards-per attempt. That included backup quarterback Caden Smithco's two runs worth 42 yards in the final minute of the game.

“That was disappointing,” said Butschle. “There was a lack of attention to detail. Central has a pretty good defensive line and we have to match their physicality.”

Leading Central's defense is 6-foot-3, 230-pound tackle Elliot Donald, ranked nationally as the seventh-best junior at his position by Rivals.com.

The Raiders were not devoid of bright spots in their first game. One was junior Mehki Gay, who totaled 64 yards on three catches, two of them in traffic.

“He was a JV guy last year and is physically very gifted,” said Butschle. “We can split him out wide, but he also lines up as a tight end.”

Totten is well aware of the Raiders' ability to move the ball through the air.

“Lawson's a good quarterback and he can distribute the ball,” he said.